Stephen Larkham to make Barbarians debut

By Rob Wildman

12:01AM BST 21 May 2008

Stephen Larkham, the former Wallaby who almost joined Leeds last season, will make his debut for the Barbarians next week.

A knee injury contributed to Leeds losing out on the outside-half, but he has now recovered and is part of a Barbarians squad set to play three games, starting on Saturday when the touring club play Belgium in Brussels. The trip continues a policy of taking games to developing rugby countries.

Larkham is joined by ex-Wales captain Gareth Thomas. A group of five discarded England players - Danny Grewcock, Andy Gomarsall, Iain Balshaw, Lesley Vainikolo and Mark Regan - have also been included in the squad.

The Barbarians play Ireland at Gloucester next Tuesday followed by an England XV at Twickenham on Sunday week.

Ewen McKenzie, the New South Wales coach, is understood to be considering the vacant Munster position following Declan Kidney's appointment as Ireland coach.